Phoenix CEO happy to prove the doubters wrong

The departing chief executive of the Wellington Phoenix football club says he's delighted to have proved the doubters wrong.

After three years in the role Tony Pignata has resigned and is moving back to Australia, saying he's tired of commuting from Melbourne where his wife and children are.

Pignata feels his greatest achievement has been in helping New Zealand football regain some credibility saying that when he took up the role the New Zealand A league teams of the past were seen as the competition easybeats.

He says in the space of three years that has changed with the Phoenix going close to making this final this year and attracting large crowds.